The Student Financial Experience Forum

Amy leads sales, success, marketing and operations for Meadow. She has spent most of her career in education, focused on opening up opportunity and access for students.  Most recently, Amy was the Head of Schools and Businesses for Outschool during a time of tremendous growth.  Prior to that, Amy was the COO of Education Elements, an investor with NewSchools Venture Fund, a consultant, a middle school teacher, and afterschool program provider.  Amy has an AB from Dartmouth College and MBA from Harvard Business School.  She lives in California with two daughters who inspire her to make the world a better place.

Christine Morris serves as Assistant Vice President at Excelsior University, where she leads student experience strategy and major cross‑functional initiatives that support learners from inquiry through graduation. Drawing on a strong background in student financial services and financial aid, Christine focuses on creating consistent, accessible, and student‑centered processes that support learners as they navigate key academic and financial milestones. She partners across financial, operational, and academic teams to strengthen alignment, support institutional transformation, and advance a holistic experience for students across diverse pathways.

Cody Witherell serves as the Director of Student Accounts & Accounts Receivables at Hamilton College, he oversees student billing, cashiering, collections, and related compliance functions for both current and past-due accounts. With over fifteen years of experience in student financial services, Cody has held progressive roles at both Hamilton College and St. Lawrence University, where he helped lead system implementations, coordinated cross-departmental billing processes, and managed institutional loan and payment plan programs. He was selected for the 2023–2024 NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program and has previously served on the Ellucian Live Colleague Finance & Business Track Team presenting multiple times at Ellucian Live. He currently serves on the NACUBO Student Financial Services Conference Planning Team where he presents yearly on topics such as AI and Collaborative Approaches to Student Initiatives. Cody is a member of the NACUBO Consulting team where he partners with institutions to tackle challenges, strengthen capacity, and help to deliver measurable results for Student Financial Services Offices. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Lawrence University and brings a process-minded, collaborative approach to supporting student account transformation in higher education.

Crystal Joos serves as an Assistant Director in the University of New Hampshire’s Student Financial Services Office. She is dedicated to supporting students and their families in understanding and navigating the financial aspects of higher education.

Jenna Bostick is AVP of Campus Partnerships at Meadow. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education and edtech, with prior roles at Civitas Learning, ECSI, Northeastern University, and CIEE. Jenna holds an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University and a B.A. in Global Studies from Ohio University. She is based in Colorado.

Jon Bragg is a higher education professional with over 15 years of experience supporting student success, currently serving as Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities at UMass Lowell. He specializes in student conduct, conflict resolution, and helping students navigate challenging situations with fairness, accountability, and a strong commitment to their rights. With a Master’s of Science in College Student Development & Counseling and an MBA in Finance, Jon brings a unique blend of people-centered leadership and data-driven decision-making. He enjoys building systems that are both efficient and student-focused, and is particularly passionate about helping students grow through adversity.

Lizz Petroski serves as the Executive Director of Student Financial Services at Excelsior University, where she leads financial aid, student accounting, and veterans' affairs operations. Her work focuses on navigating complex federal regulations, strengthening compliance and financial aid strategy, building and developing the individuals on her team, and improving the overall student financial experience.She has been intentional about building strong partnerships between financial aid, student accounts, and the broader institution—recognizing that cost and affordability are not the responsibility of any one office, but a shared commitment. Through this approach, Lizz works to ensure students have clearer, more accessible pathways to financing their education while advancing operational efficiency and student-centered support.

Maria Morelli has a diverse work experience in various roles and organizations. Maria is currently working as the Director of Financial Aid at Endicott College since 2022. Previously, they held positions at Northeastern University, where they were the Director of Graduate Financial Aid from 2020 to 2022 and the Associate Director for Graduate Aid from 2012 to 2022. Maria also worked as the Director of Financial Aid at New England College of Business & Finance from 2009 to 2012. Prior to that, they gained experience as a Real Estate Paralegal at Sullivan & Worcester LLC from 2007 to 2008. Maria's career began at Boston University, where they worked as an Archivist from 2001 to 2007.Maria Morelli has a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, which they obtained from 2013 to 2015. Prior to that, they earned a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Northeastern University from 2007 to 2008. Maria also holds a MS degree in Library & Information Science from Simmons University, which they completed from 2001 to 2004. Maria'sundergraduate education includes a BA in History from Salem State University, where they studied from 1997 to 2001. Additionally, they briefly attended Stonehill College in 1992-1993, but did not obtain a degree.

Marie D. Johnson is Executive Director of Student Financial Services at the University of Vermont, where she leads a team of 36 professionals and oversees all aspects of student finance. With over 34 years of experience, Marie is a Certified Financial Aid Administrator and ProSci Change Leader, serving on national boards including NASFAA, HELC, and COSUAA. She is a frequent presenter on FAFSA simplification, DEI, and strategic partnerships, leadership and staff development topics.

Tayler Kreutter is the Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Executive Director of Student Financial Services at Mount Holyoke College, where she leads financial aid, student accounts, and student employment while advancing key priorities within the College’s strategic enrollment plan. Her work sits at the intersection of access, affordability, and institutional strategy, with a focus on aligning financial policy and student-facing operations to support enrollment goals. A nationally recognized leader in the field, Tayler serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and is a past president of the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. She is known for breaking down silos between financial aid and student accounts, using data and cross-functional collaboration to improve both the student experience and institutional outcomes. Tayler brings a strategic, student-centered lens to her work, grounded in the belief that financial aid and student accounts must operate as a unified system—not parallel processes—if institutions are to effectively support students and meet today’s enrollment challenges.